What's in a name?

Before we knew that he would be a 'he' we spent quite a lot of time looking for a good name for it. We looked through a couple of books, considered re-naming the dog (she's called Amber and I really like Amber as a name), crossed off all the cool names that have been used by our friends (Adam and Kerry got Jessica, so that was the first to go), considered inventing a name and Googled. In the end, an awards ceremony at a local school gave me a bit of a wake-up. I had settled on the idea of choosing a unisex name and we had all but settled on Cameron (yes Cam, named after you), despite Cameron meaning crooked (nose) or something. After UnisexName received his third award for the evening, the person handing out the certificates finally twigged that UnisexName was a girl and corrected himself, making him a her and causing much embarrasment for all. I decided that won't happen to my kid. A boy will get a boy's name and a girl a girl's. Sorry Storm, Skye, Savannah and Stardust.

So why Joshua? Truth is I like the idea that a name means something. Apple Poppyseed is cute, but... Joshua means "God saves" (or similar). I don"t know if Joshua will think He does. It doesnt really matter. I'll do what I do because I think He does. I hope Joshua agrees - so I guess it does matter - but not in a way that I'll disown him if he disagrees. Can you believe that some people do that?

Speaking of which - I have also thought that Joshua may very well become something I am not. If he ends up fabulously rich or handsome I won't mind. Many a man has suggested that I ensure he gets a rugby ball before he gets a Barney. After all, today he's cuddling a fluffy toy, tomorrow he's combing Barbie's hair, and then before long he's buying XS bright Ts at Gap. If he ends up a rugby playing boy I'll call him Jo for short. If he plays the violin, he'll be Joshie. Joshua, Joshie, Jo - that's my boy!